LA Fight Club Starts Off 2016 With A Bang – Boxing News
By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña (At Ringside)
Photos by Cynthia “Cindy Lou” Saldaña (At Ringside)
In Golden Boy Promotions first LA Fight Club Series of 2016 Oscar De La Hoya showcased his upcoming prospects to a sold out wild Southern California crowd inside of the Belasco Theatre in downtown, Los Angeles this past Friday night. To start things off, Pablo “The Shark” Rubio, JR., 3-0, 2 KO’s from Los Angeles, California took on Bryan Perez, 2-2-1,1 KO from Carolina, Puerto Rico in a 4 round bout. Pablo started slow but became very aggressive in the 2nd connecting with several combinations ending the fight by knockout late in the 2nd. Pablo said after the fight “I was very excited about my first fight of 2016 and was filled with a fury to take him out early. In the end we all have great respect for each other and I look forward to the next fight and more victories this year.”
The Second fight was another all out brawl as the undefeated prospect from San Antonio Joshua Franco, 3-0, 2 KO’s battled Juan Benavidez, 5-6-1, 2 KO’s from Obregon, Mexico in a six-round super flyweight bout,. From the 1st round Franco brought the action to Benavidez. In Franco’s second 6 rounder of his career he came away with a unanimous decision 60-54 x3. After the fight when asked about his performance, Franco stated “I am glad I got the decision, but I feel like my performance could have been better. He was a tough opponent for me and I feel like I need to go back to the gym and make sure to work on my defense.” Franco moves to 4-0, 3 KO’s
Making his Golden Boy debut in a scheduled six round fight Edgar Valerio, 4-0, 2 KO’s Came out blazing knocking out Justin Lopez, 5-4, 5 KO’s at the 2:40 mark of round 1. Valerio of Los Angeles made quick work of Justin Lopez. Valerio boxed well from the start, fighting from a distance popping the jab. A right hand followed by a left dropped Lopez as he got up but Valerio continued his attack as referee Jerry Cantu waved it off. “Knocking him out in the first round was a part of the game plan since day one. This knock-out is a great way to get the momentum started in 2016, and I’ll fight anyone who is willing to step up to the boxing mat”, Valerio stated after his victory. Valerio improves to 5-0, 3 KOs. Lopez goes to 5-5, 5 KOs.
To kick of the television broadcast on Estrella TV Local fan favorite Abraham Lopez, 19-0-1, 14 KO’s from La Puente California battled Carlos Valcarcel, 14-6-4, 5 KO’s from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico in a 10 round bout. Throughout the fight Lopez controlled the pace hitting Valcarcel with heavy shots and combos. Lopez boxed using his jab and quickness keeping his distance. At the end of the first things got wild as Valcarcel hit Lopez after the bell. Lopez tagged Valcarcel with a left hook early in round two, continuing his attack. Lopez finished strong with a vicious assault. In round five Lopez nailed Valcarcel connecting with big shots on the inside and at a distance. Halfway through in round seven, Lopez seemed to be having his way, continued to attacked the body and wear down Valcarcel. At the end of the round Valcarcel went to his corner and did not come out for round eight. when asked about his victory Lopez stated “I will take a short fight any day. I trained hard enough to possibly make it all Ten rounds, but the intensity of the fight made it possible to end things early. I want to get a world championship this 2016, and this is the beginning of that.”
In the main event of the evening Julian Ramirez took on Christopher “S.D. Kid” Martin, 28-6-3, 9 KO’s of Chula Vista, California in a 10-round fight for the vacant WBC Silver Youth Featherweight Title. Julian is the nephew of the late world-champion boxer Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez, and like his uncle Julian fights in the traditional “Mexican Style”. Julian controlled most of the fight with heavy body shots, but Martin who has been in the ring with the likes of Gary Russell Jr. and Chris Avalos stood tough and banged it out with the younger Ramirez. After ten action packed rounds, Julian “El Camaron” took the fight by unanimous decision 100-90, and 99-91 x 2 on the judges scorecards. “I’m really happy with the decision,” said Ramirez. “I know this fighter, Chris, and I knew he was going to go in there and give it his all. For my next fight I know that I need to get with my camp focus on training and not get caught up with any distractions.”
In the T.V. Swing bout, another So. Cal favorite Jonathan Navarro 3-0,2 KO’s from East Los Angeles California took on Carlos Rodriguez, 9-2, 4 KO’s from Casas Grande, Mexico in a scheduled six round bout. Navarro came out boxing sticking his jab while Rodriguez swung away wildly in round one. In the second a Navarro right to the body sent Rodriguez to the canvas and the referee reached a ten count as Jonathan Navarro stayed undefeated. “I came into the fight calm and steady,” said Jonathan Navarro. “I wanted to make sure I measured my opponent. After the first round I had a good idea on what I needed to do to keep my undefeated record.”
In other Golden Boy News…
On February 5th, Golden Boy Promotions is back with a card at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. In the main event of the evening, hometown hero Randy “El Matador” Caballero 22-0, 13 KO’s will make his return to the ring in a 10-round super bantamweight bout against Ruben Garcia 15-1-1, 6 KO’s of Mexico City, Mexico, televised live on Estrella TV.
In the co-main event on the night and part of the Estrella TV broadcast, East Los Angeles’ undefeated welterweight Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez 19-0, 13 KO’s, will face off against former IBA Super Lightweight Champion Silverio “Chamaco III” Ortiz 29-16, 15 KO’s of Chicxulub, Yucatan, Mexico in a 10-round welterweight fight. Hoping to make airtime on the televised broadcast but featured as part of the Ring TV livestream, San Antonio’s rising super featherweight Hector “El Finito” Tanajara, JR., 4-0, 3 KO’s will fight in his first six-rounder against the undefeated Clay Burns 3-0-1, 3 KO’s of Alexandria, La.
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